Xander had been trying to shake off Ronald''s pursuit all day. By the time he finally made it back to Southvale, Patrina, he was practically running on fumes. As soon as he stepped inside, he tossed his jacket toward Ste.


    "Put this on," he said gruffly.


    She had been wearing her pajamas when they left, and after all the chaos, her clothes were a mess.


    Ste shot him a fierce re, and Xander huffed. "Who are you giving attitude to? Let me tell you, I''m not Ronald. I''m not going to pamper you. Put it on, now."


    Before he could blink, Ste threw the jacket back at him, hitting him square in the face. Enveloped in darkness for a brief moment, Xander yanked the jacket off, his irritation boiling over. "Seriously, with that attitude, I can''t believe you managed to survive in Portis City without getting scammed," he muttered. "Most people would know when to lie low."


    Ste snapped back, "Why do you care if I got scammed or not? Just give me my phone."


    The entire journey, she''d been itching to call Ronald, but she didn''t have her phone.


    Xander''s expression turned grim. "You''re asking me for a phone?"


    "Who else am I supposed to ask?" Ste retorted, clearly annoyed.


    Xander asked, "Did you even bring a phone?"


    Ste''s mind shed to the moment she''d thrown her phone behind her during the escape. Her face fell. She hadn''t brought it with her after all.


    "Realized it now, have you?" Xander said with a smirk.


    Ste shot back, "Why didn''t you pick it up for me?"


    Xander was incredulous. "Are you seriously asking me that? I was barely a step ahead of Ronald. You think I had time to fetch your phone? Has Ronald turned you into a spoiled princess all these years?" "Yeah, a spoiled princess. If you don''t like it, feel free to take me back," Ste challenged, her voice dripping with sarcasm.


    Xander was momentarily speechless. "Not a chance."


    "Fine, whatever," Ste said, rolling her eyes, her frustration palpable.


    Xander knew Ronald had indulged her far too much.


    "I''m warning you," Xander growled, "don''t try any funny business. I''ve got years of pent-up frustration, and you do not want to be on the receiving end."


    With that, Xander turned on his heel,


    leaving Ste behind. He''d spent five days on the road to get her out of there, barely catching an hour''s sleep@day. Now that they were


    Vel


    back in Patrina, he was det


    for some rest.


    After a long, hot shower, Xander copsed into bed, his exhaustion catching up with him. But just as he was about to drift off, a loud


    explosion shook the entire house.


    His instincts kicked in. In an instant, he was out of bed and by the window, Down in the yard, Ste stood with a mischievous grin, while the house staff scrambled toput out a fire.


    en


    The butler rushed over to him, casting a reproachful nce at Ste. "Mr. Schultz."


    That look told Xander everything he needed to know. He turned to Ste, eyes narrowing. "Was this your doing?"


    The kitchen was a mess, likely the result of a gas leak. Ste looked like the cat that got the cream.


    "I didn''t mean to, really. I just wanted to cook some pasta for my fiancé," she said, emphasizing the word ''fiancé.''


    The butler looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there.


    Xander was livid, his rage simmering beneath the surface. He grit his teeth and pointed a finger at Ste. "Do you really have a death wish?" Bandages were still wrapped around Xander''s neck, his shoulder, and his hand.


    As Ste''s eyes darted around, inspecting him, Xander''s frustration red. He snapped, "What are you looking at?"


    "Just figuring out the best ce to bite," Ste said, baring her teeth.


    Xander''s fury reached its peak. He dropped whatever he was holding and lunged at her, his patience finally snapping.


    "Do you want me to strangle you?" he growled, grabbing her by the neck.


    But before he could do anything more, Ste sank her teeth into his wrist.